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Treatment Classification by Intent in Oncology-The Need for Meaningful Definitions: Curative, Palliative and
Zsolt Fekete1,2, Andrea Fekete3, Gabriel Kacsó1,4
1Department of Oncology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400015 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Healthcare professionals should adopt a modern, three-tier system for cancer treatment goals, including curative, palliative, and potentially life-prolonging therapies, to improve communication and reflect advancements in oncology.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Terminology
Background:
- Current cancer treatment goal nomenclature is outdated, unchanged since the mid-20th century.
- Realistic goals and clear communication are essential for patients, families, and healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose an updated, three-tier system for classifying cancer treatment goals.
- To replace the existing two-tier system with a more comprehensive approach.
Main Methods:
- Literature review to inform the proposed classification system.
- Development of a three-tier model: curative, palliative, and potentially life-prolonging (PLP) therapies.
Main Results:
- The proposed system introduces the concept of prolonged survival.
- It aims to eliminate the negative connotations associated with palliative care.
Conclusions:
- The terminology for cancer treatment goals requires modernization.
- A new three-tier system (curative, palliative, potentially life-prolonging) is recommended for clarity and accuracy.
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